2010 SATURN AURA brake

Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
WARNING: (Continued)
United StatesCanada
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WARNING: (Continued)
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
This light comes on briefly when the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light will then go off.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The
light stays on if the parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released,
it means there is a brake problem.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
BRAKE FLUID message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4-42for more information.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal may be harder to push or it
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. Try
turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two times,
if the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-24.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly
while the starting the
engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light will then go off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light still stays
on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is
not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but it does not have
antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-30.
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For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42for all
brake related DIC messages.
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System
(TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
The Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system or
the Traction Control
System (TCS)
indicator/warning light
comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by the
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
If this light is on while certain DIC messages display,
this indicates that the ESC and TCS are not working or
are disabled.If this light is on and not flashing, the TCS and
potentially the ESC system have been disabled. Check
the DIC messaging to determine which feature(s) is
no longer functioning and whether it is because of the
driver turning off the feature(s), or because the system is
not working properly and the vehicle requires service.
If the TCS is disabled, wheel spin is not limited. If
the ESC system is disabled, the system does not aid in
maintaining directional control of the vehicle.
If the indicator/warning light is on and flashing, the TCS
or the ESC system is actively working. Check the
DIC messaging for details to determine which system is
working. If the LOW TRACTION message appears,
the system is limiting wheel spin. If the ESC ACTIVE
message appears, the system is aiding in maintaining
directional control of the vehicle.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 5-5and
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 5-7for more
information.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-42for
more information on the messages associated with
this light.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem detected
in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message clears when the vehicle’s condition is no
longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it
from the display, press and hold any of the DIC
buttons. If the condition is still present, the warning
message comes back on the next time the vehicle is
turned off and back on. With most messages, a warning
chime sounds when the message displays. Your
vehicle may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch. See
Automatic Headlamp System on page 4-11for more
information.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch. See
Automatic Headlamp System on page 4-11for more
information.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake fluid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-30for more
information. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed.
When this message is acknowledged and cleared from
the display, the engine oil life system must still be
reset separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 6-20,Engine Oil on page 6-17, andScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-3for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it
is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the message off.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the cruise control system
is active. SeeCruise Control on page 4-7for more
information.
DOOR AJAR
This message displays if one or more of the vehicle’s
doors are not closed properly. Make sure that the
door(s) are closed completely.
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LOW FUEL
This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel.
Refill the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel
Gage on page 4-38,Fuel on page 6-5, andFilling the
Tank on page 6-10for more information.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on
the instrument panel cluster flashes when the system is
actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road conditions
may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust
your driving accordingly. This message stays on for a
few seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-7and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 4-32for
more information.
LOW WASHER FLUID
This message displays when the vehicle’s windshield
washer fluid is low. Fill the windshield washer fluid
reservoir to the proper level as soon as possible. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6-32.
POWER STEERING
On some vehicles, this message displays if a problem
has been detected with the electric power steering. Have
your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
PUSH PARK PEDAL
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 3-26for more
information.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and a chime sounds if there has
been a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This
light stays on solid as long as the detected problem
remains present. When this message displays, the
system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 5-5
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 4-32
for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
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Notice:Contact your dealer/retailer before adding
any equipment.
Adding audio or communication equipment could
interfere with the operation of the vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not
work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 6-3.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP). With
RAP, the audio system can be played even after the
ignition is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 3-20for more information.Setting the Clock
To set the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN. Press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM, DD, YYYY (hour,
minute, month, day, and year) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below any one of the tabs
that you want to change.
4. To increase the time or date do one of the following:
•Press the softkey located below the selected tab.
•Press¨SEEK, or\FWD.
•Turnfclockwise.
5. To decrease the time or date do one of the
following:
•Press©SEEK orsREV.
•Turnfcounterclockwise.
The date does not automatically display. To see the
date press
Hwhile the radio is on. The date with display
times out after a few seconds and goes back to the
normal radio and time display.
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Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunk Driving.................................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-3
Braking.........................................................5-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................5-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-5
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......................5-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-7
Steering........................................................5-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................5-11
Passing.......................................................5-11
Loss of Control.............................................5-11
Driving at Night............................................5-12Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-13
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-14
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-14
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-15
Winter Driving..............................................5-16
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................5-18
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-18
Loading the Vehicle......................................5-19
Towing..........................................................5-24
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-24
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-24
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-27
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
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For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of
the vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 5-7andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)
on page 5-5.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 6-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-30.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of
a second, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 feet). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
the vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force
applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the
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